What is the best car for me?

sausageface

Hi, I hope you folks can give me some advice.

I have just unfortunately heard that my car has been written off so I am now on the hunt for a new (to me) one.

I have the princely sum of £1800ish.

I have three children so need to fit three booster seats in the back, I would like something more economical on the fuel (last car was W reg Scenic and only reached 28mpg on a very, very good day (18.2 in the snow/ice lol)

I have been looking at diesel Mondeos but the mileage avg. about 133000. Is this bad? Would I be looking at lots of work soon?

Also Focus but petrol ones, a bit less mileage but not as good on mpg.

Or do I just go with what I know and get another Scenic? My last one was good engine wise, no problems in the 3 years I owned it but the driver electric window broke and the exhaust was on it's way out.

What would you go for or any other suggestions? It may sound silly but I would like it to have the year number plate now and not a letter as well

SF
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TiTheRev

For quality and reliability, i'd only recommend German or Japanese.

IMHO, i'd steer very clear of Ford/Renault but you'll get those within your budget?!

Something like this would more than meet the criteria, and be within budget. 130k on the clock, but should go for many more miles as all VW/Audi engines do.

This one has also done 130k, but would more than take all the kids (plus 'stuff'!) and the TDi engine would be good on MPG, plus last a while longer if looked after.

Hope that helps...

sausageface

Thanks Ti,

I will have a look for some that you have suggested

Is there a reason why not a Ford? I was under the impression that they were reliable - but I am not the most bright when it comes to cars lol

SF
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TiTheRev

sausageface wrote: »

Thanks Ti,

I will have a look for some that you have suggested

Is there a reason why not a Ford? I was under the impression that they were reliable - but I am not the most bright when it comes to cars lol

SF
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It's a personal preference after nearly 20yrs in the Motor Trade and more than a few issues with Fords over the years. I worked for Renault at one stage, and was astonished at the poor build quality and number of issues they had before even leaving the showroom.

oldtoolie

Google Bangernomics -- there's tips on the web and search for the same term in this forum.

The make of the car you buy isn't so important as the condition, the price and the honesty of the seller.

What I have done with a small budget is focus on local privately advertised cars where you can meet the owner. So I ask everyone I know and look in newsagents windows, supermarket bulletin boards, gumtree, local free sheets. I reserve at least 25% of my budget for unforeseen repairs. I look for a recent MOT and figure out if it needs cambelt, service etc. Look the seller in the eye and ask if they have had any problems with the car, why they are selling the car and if the car needs any work done on it. If you don't like the answers or trust them, say thanks and go away. There are plenty of ordinary honest people selling their old decent cars. Find one of those and make a deal.

sausageface

Thanks for the advice, will google that now...

SF
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optimus_primera

You have to forget number plate and badge snobbery.
As oldtoolie has mentioned, buy on condition.
By all means go round some used car dealers, see what out there,and more importantly, try a few models out for size,esp seeing as you need to get kiddie seats in,nothing worse than deciding on a particular car, buying it,then finding out you can't get anything in it .......

Tilt

Although they are a little weird looking, Fiat Multipla have had some very good press. Found this one which seems a good deal; http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201105378507974/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/multipla/make/fiat/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/po11ee?logcode=p

sausageface

Thanks Tilt, to be honest I hadn't even considered a Multipla because of their weirdness but that one is cheap! Don't know if I could bring myself to actually buy one and drive it tho!?! lol

sausageface

optimus_primera wrote: »

You have to forget number plate and badge snobbery.
As oldtoolie has mentioned, buy on condition.
By all means go round some used car dealers, see what out there,and more importantly, try a few models out for size,esp seeing as you need to get kiddie seats in,nothing worse than deciding on a particular car, buying it,then finding out you can't get anything in it .......

I know I do, it's just hard to do I loved my scenic at first then the window went so it had masking tape keeping it up, the sunroofs leaked and this winter I have had to de-ice the inside as well as the outside of the car so to be honest the insurers have done me a favour by writing it off because the exhaust was on it's way out as well! I suppose after driving round in my shed for the past god knows how long I am just after something that looks a bit decent but I suppose that anything without it's window taped is a good start eh :beer:

Tilt

sausageface wrote: »

Thanks Tilt, to be honest I hadn't even considered a Multipla because of their weirdness but that one is cheap! Don't know if I could bring myself to actually buy one and drive it tho!?! lol

Check out the seating arrangement... it would be ideal to put 3 booster seats in the back and it has 3 seats in the front.